High Quality Short Story Collections

As we study short stories the students will be reading short story collections and analyzing the stories. 

So far, Veronica has read two stories from Destination Unexpected, ed. by Donald Gallo. She will also be reading the collection Baseball in April by Gary Soto (who graduated from UC Irvine and lives in CA).

Jessica is reading Thirteen, a collection of short stories by well-known YA authors about what it is like to be 13, the joys, challenges, and awkward moments.

The Moundbuilders of Cahokia

As she continues to learn about American Indians, Veronica watched a very intriguing video last week to learn about the Moundbuilders of Cahokia. This ancient city is only a few miles outside of St. Louis, Missouri, but most people in the city didn't even know it existed!


Do you want to learn more? Check out this film clip!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfJENUpQfIM 

Flexibility and Dynamic Stretching!

This week the girls learned about the importance of flexibility and dynamic stretching in Health Class. As we continue learning about Cardiorespiratory endurance, we will be running a mile today at the park!

Freedom and Edna St. Vincent Millay's Poetry

As part of her Modern American Poetry lesson, Jessica learned about modernism and aspects that make poetry "modern" and American. She read "Recuerdo" by Edna St. Vincent Millay and "One Perfect Rose" by Dorothy Parker. Then Jessica wrote a poem about an experience related to freedom in her life. 

Freedom

At the top

Waiting for the drop

Hair flying

Courage dying

Hearts beating

People freaking

Sweat at the brow

It’s starting…now!

The machine roars

Tracks quiver

We are pushed down the hill

Our body shivers

Not from the cold, not from being ill

But from the complete and total thrill

Rushing down

There is not time to think

My eyes are stuck open

Can’t even blink

My heart twists

My stomach churns

My hands fly up

I can’t believe

I’m finally free!